chefisaac

So I have been riding to work 3-4 days a week (try to do 4 but 3 is good too) and the other day, I roll into work and someone says:

"Wow boy, you are riding too much". I dont even know this person. Dont know their name, what department the work in or anything. When I see this person (and its only been a couple of times) I always say good morning. They just look at me.

Who the hell tells me that I am riding too much?! Do they have access to my mileage log? Why do they care? GRRRRRR

Chalk it up to small talk.

FJP

I would say it's more of a compliment, and if not, probably someone who is envious. Anyways, I think you best qualified it as "small talk"

a1penguin

It might be someone who (1) thinks biking is dumb (2) is impressed with your dedication (3) would never ride in the winter. Perhaps it was meant as a compliment? Why didn't you ask what they meant by the remark? Or reply with riding to work is healthy for me and the environment; you should try it :-)

chefisaac

I just agreed and went on my way. Had to get ready for work.

nashcommguy

Yeah, I get this. Unless I sense someone is genuinely interested and supportive I simply make it clear that answering would be a waste of my time.

chefisaac

yea its like when people say "wow you rode in today?" No **** when I am just getting off my bike.

fizbiz

Or you could just shrug your shoulders and move on...Not to be a jerk or anything, but these little rants about what ONE person said are kind of pointless. Let's not be so sensitive about everything...Some people are just trying to make a conscious connection with another person and sometimes fail to say EXACTLY what the other person wanted to hear...SO WHAT?

Jimbo47

I believe it's out of jealousy that they don't have the dedication in their life to get off their butts and exercise, so they see a chance to try and bring you down in their mind.

I had a middle aged couple getting into their car in front of a store, while I was within easy hearing distance while I was unlocking my bike, the woman made a sarcastic statement to her husband about "look at the old guy with the bike," which didn't sound bad written, but add to that the way she said it, and with the facial expression you could tell she meant it as a jab at me, a total stranger.

Maybe if they would ride also they wouldn't be grossly overweight, and possibly have to park in the handicapped spot.

BTW: I thought it was funny under the circumstances.

nubcake

Next time I see him I would say "wow boy, you are driving too much"

buuuttt... I am a bit of a smartass at times and he might get all pissy

tsl

Two of my favorite smart-aleck replies (always delivered with a wink and a big grin) are:

Idjit: "You rode your bike today?"
Me: "Yeah. It sure beats pushing it."

Idjit: "How far did you ride?"
Me: "The whole way!"

In your case, Cheffy, I'm with penguin. I think it was intended as either a compliment, or meant to have "and it's making the rest of us look bad" appended to the end.

Nitram612

Lots of people are still pretty ignorant about how easy and practical bike commuting can be. It absolutely blows their mind that someone would be dedicated enough to ride every day. He could have meant it in a "So you think you are better than me?" way, or he could have meant nothing at all and it just came out wrong.

nashvillwill

^^^agreed. Although, I read the thread despite the predictable title. Maybe this is my reality tv.

Jay D

Without knowing the tone of voice used to say this, but I would also just qualify this as "small talk" as well. No uptight response required...

modernjess

It was clearly a pick up line. You should be flattered.

DX-MAN

Wasn't smart enough to come up with something clever to say.

Like the ridiculous old woman the other day, who said (as I rolled my "Dead Sexay" Kona past her and her middle-aged daughter): "So, are you trying it out or buying it?" Same kind of crap as the clowns who say, when they see me wheeling a just-built BSO to the sales rack, "Be faster to ride it!" Yeah, stupid, never heard that before.

Powerarranger

This reminds me of an old joke:

Two psychiatrists pass each other in the hallway. The first psychiatrist says, "Hello!" The second psychiatrist thinks, "Hmmm, I wonder what he meant by that?"

Take it at face value, react appropriately and move on. As Pogo said, "Don't take life too serious, it ain't nohow permanent."

dedhed

I'd have said "Nope, too little, gotta spend 8 hours here"

CB HI

To which I would respond "Yea, but wow, I guess you sat in rush hour traffic today?"

jsdavis

To people who don't ride, 3 miles sounds like a marathon. Then tell them that 3 miles with a 300 ft climb takes only 20 minutes and you blow their mind like you are a professional athlete and don't realize that ability did not happen overnight.

Burton

LOL I guess you need a sense of humor!

When you see this person you always say good-morning and now when they finally say something back you start a post about it cause it wasn't exactly what you wanted to hear?

I guess saying nothing really was better. Any chance English wasn't their first language and they meant 'a lot'?

oneeyedhobbit

Wow boy, you are sensitive.

jeffpoulin

My first thought was that he bet his buddies that you wouldn't last 3 days riding your bike to work in the winter. He lost.

Scheherezade 

He or she was probably hitting on you.

tarwheel 

You must not be married. My wife tells me that all the time.

AdamDZ

Chefisaac, you worry about meaningless stuff too much.